A Day in June – Verse 2

Here is Lowell’s second verse of his famous poem, “What is so rare as a day in June?” followed by my own version. (Verse 1 of both Lowell’s and mine can be found here.)

Now is the high-tide of the year,
And whatever of life hath ebbed away
Comes flooding back with a ripply cheer,
Into every bare inlet and creek and bay;
Now the heart is so full that a drop overfills it,
We are happy now because God wills it;
No matter how barren the past may have been,
‘Tis enough for us now that the leaves are green;
We sit in the warm shade and feel right well
How the sap creeps up and the blossoms swell;
We may shut our eyes but we cannot help knowing
That skies are clear and grass is growing;
The breeze comes whispering in our ear,
That dandelions are blossoming near,
That maize has sprouted, that streams are flowing,
That the river is bluer than the sky,
That the robin is plastering his house hard by;
And if the breeze kept the good news back,
For our couriers we should not lack;
We could guess it all by yon heifer’s lowing,
And hark! How clear bold chanticleer,
Warmed with the new wine of the year,
Tells all in his lusty crowing!

!

My new version:

Now is the hot side of the year,
And it feels like my teeth are melting away.
Tears flood my eyes with no hint of cheer,
Making tracks in my make-up, deep as the bay.
Now my heart is so full, my tears overfill it.
At least I’m sure that God does not will it –
No matter how fervent my prayers all have been.
It’s enough for me now that I don’t feel green;
As long as I lie in my bed, I feel well,
But the abscess gets bigger, my gums swell.
I may shut my eyes, but I cannot help knowing,
That whatever I’ve got is growing.
A voice comes whispering in my ear
Saying my next dental trial draws near.
Another tooth breaks, my tears keep flowing,
Self-pity makes me bluer than the sky,
And my mouth is preparing for one more good-bye.
My paltry sleep keeps the good news back,
Couriers of doom I do not lack;
And e’en if I sleep, despite my loud lowing
The dad-gum next-door chanticleer,
Wakes me, if I’ve slept, when I hear,
All his “Cock-a-doodle” crowing!

I know I told some of you in replying to comments on Verse 1, that I would be telling you of our plans to pay for the next dental visit. Well, I guess you will have to wait for Verse 3, which is coming up tomorrow. I got too busy feeling sorry for myself! Even I’m starting to feel like my moaning has gone on long enough. . .

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About Paula Tohline Calhoun

I love life, and treasure it each day, because I have come so very close to losing it, more times than I can count! That's not to say that I don't get grumpy, so I've chosen this photo of me with "Andi" nibbling on my ear. Andi belongs to our son Josh, the eldest of our three sons - the others being Matt and Adam.
I strive to improve in all aspects of my life. Some days I'm more successful than others, in much the same way as my blog says, "some days are cloudier than others." I live and love by the Grace of God. My wish, my prayer for everyone is enough. . .

Paula. First, thank you for bringing Lowell’s poem back to my mind. It is so filling. And I do feel your pain and hope it turns out well. Some things are worth everything to take the pain away. I do feel you pain and tears. Great job! I look forward to the answer.

Dannie – you’ll never believe how it came to my mind! I was watching “Wheel of Fortune” Monday evening (something I only do occasionally), and at the end of the program, Pat Sajak, the host, quoted the first few lines. First time a game show has instigated my blogging hi-jinx! LOL

Don’t take my “pain” too much to heart – I tend to use a LOT of poetic license! All shall be well again, I know. God has always taken extraordinarily good care of me, sometimes in spite of myself! I have no reason to believe God will stop now! 😀

Vere 3 (the last, thank goodnes!) will be up tomorrow. Thanks for reading and commenting!

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Every poem or story or essay I post here is a draft, and usually a very early draft. I'm still learning how to look at my writing objectively, and when it comes to fixing what's broken or just non-functioning, ...whew. I don't ask for formal critique--that's a lot of work. But if you notice anything you think might help a poem (including, but not limited to spelling and punctuation!), please don't hesitate to mention it. In the comments, that's fine, or drop me a note: ptohlinecalhoun@gmail.com.

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"Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God."

~~I Peter 1:18-21, The Message

"The greatest and most difficult lesson, at times,, is learning to trust God."

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I love life, and treasure it each day, because I have come so very close to losing it, more times than I can count! That's not to say that I don't get grumpy, so I've chosen this photo of me with "Andi" nibbling on my ear. Andi belongs to our son Josh, the eldest of our three sons - the others being Matt and Adam.
I strive to improve in all aspects of my life. Some days I'm more successful than others, in much the same way as my blog says, "some days are cloudier than others." I live and love by the Grace of God. My wish, my prayer for everyone is enough. . .